History of Clowning - Facts about Clowns

Circus clown
is a performer which works in the circus and uses physical humor to entertain the audience. They often wear colorful clothing, makeup, wigs and exaggerated
footwear. World clown comes from the Icelandic word “klunni” which means “a clumsy person”.

The first known clowns date from the time of the Fifth dynasty of Egypt, around 2400 BC. Later civilizations also knew about clowns. Early
clowns were also priests and their roles were almost indivisible. Clowns of ancient Greece were bald and wore padded clothes to appear
larger. Ancient Roman clowns wore pointed hats and were the butts of the jokes. Italian commedia dell'arte of the 16th century introduced
masked characters Arlecchino (Harlequin) and Pierrot (Pirouette).

In time some standard types of clowns developed:

Whiteface clown
was originally designed by Joseph Grimaldi in 1801. It has its face and neck covered with white makeup, mouth painted in a grin, and black eyebrows. His
clothes are extravagant and he is a sophisticated character. He has the highest status in the clown hierarchy.

Auguste
has his face painted in pink, red, or tan. His mouth and eyes are painted white and his lips and eyebrows are black. His clothes can be well-fitted or
completely opposite. His character is that of an anarchist, a joker, or a fool.

The character clowns are parodies of different types like a butcher, a baker, a policeman, a housewife or a hobo. Standard subtypes of this type developed
in North America are The Hobo, The Tramp, and The Bum. The Hobo travels and has no luck but has a positive attitude. The Tramp is the same but without
positive attitude and always sad.

Some of famous clowns from the history are still remembered:

Joseph Grimaldi
was an English artist who practically invented the modern clown. After him, even today clowns are called “Joey”.

Matthew Sully
was the first circus clown in the United States. He performed in Ricketts's circus and was a Harlequin, tumbler and a singer.

John Durang
was the first "American-born" circus clown. He also performed in Ricketts's circus.

Jean Baptiste Casmiere Breschard
brough back circus clowns into Untited States in 1804 after a dry spell when no circuses worked.

Joe Pentland
was an early modern clown which had a sketch in which he would appear at the circus as a drunken sailor and offered to ride a horse. After a few failures,
falls and laughter from the audience he would strip into his leotard and start riding with a skill.

Clowns
, as all artists, have their own slang:

Clown Alley
: a part of a backstage where clowns dress and where they hold their props.

Boss Clown
: a clown reposible for leading the other clowns.

Charivari
: a type of acrobatic clown routine.

Carpet Clown
: a clown who starts his act from the audience for a better comedic effect.

First of May
: a name for a novice performer without previous experience.

Truper
: a name for a performer with a considerable experience – the one who has spent at least one full season with the circus – a seasoned veteran.